"In the following years, I trained in swordsmanship at the Isshin Dojo. Teacher Koushirou was very kind to me, but I always felt unsatisfied. I always dreamed of one day reviving the dojo."
"Especially a few months ago, when a guest from Asakura Island visited the teacher, I asked about the Sakuraba Dojo, and the guest was stunned for a long time. He hadn't even heard of it!"
"This kind of thing, this kind of thing..."
Junichi clenched his fists tightly, his jaw clenched so hard it made a grating sound, "I can't accept this! If my father were still here, how could this have happened? The Sakuraba of the past was known by everyone on Asakura Island!"
"It's all my fault! I'm too incompetent! I couldn't take on my father's legacy and responsibility, I couldn't become a swordsman strong enough to stand on his own, and that's why the dojo has fallen to such a state!"
"Stop, stop, stop."
Shano got goosebumps and quickly interrupted.
"That's enough, I can't stand it. At such a young age, talking about responsibility and reviving the dojo. Let me ask you, how old were you when your father died?"
Why bring this up?
But Junichi answered honestly, "Ten years old."
"There you have it." Shano spread his hands, "Didn't you say all your senior brothers ran away? In a situation that even adults couldn't control, what could a ten-year-old child do?"
"Why are you throwing a tantrum, blaming yourself for everything, trying to move anyone? Isn't this just masochism?"
"Remember, instead of wearing yourself out internally, it's better to focus externally; otherwise, you'll end up in endless anxiety, and who knows, you might even end up hanging yourself one day."
In a worldly-wise tone, "Your immediate priority is to follow Koushirou earnestly and hone your swordsmanship. When you're tired of training, curse those who ruined the dojo to vent, and then continue. How is it your fault? It's obviously all their fault!"
"..." Junichi was stunned.
This guy, who was clearly younger, why did his words sound so philosophical?
"But my swordsmanship is already very strong..."
He said eagerly, "This time, I returned to Asakura Island for the Sword Dao tournament. I want to win the championship and let those people from the Seven Great Dojo know that the Sakuraba Family has not fallen! Just, just..."
"No money for registration?" Shano glanced at him sideways.
"Yes."
Junichi drooped his head in frustration, but the next moment he became annoyed again, "You saw the stuff posted on the notice board, right? The registration fee alone is ten thousand Belly, and the kendo uniform and bamboo sword must be bought in their standardized style, which are sold at a high price. Together, it's almost twenty thousand Belly."
"Not to mention, only disciples under the Seven Great Dojo can register. Outsider swordsmen have to find a way to spend money to join a dojo... It's just crazy! So greedy, yet they have the nerve to call it the most authoritative Sword Dao event in the East Sea..."
"Sword Dao, and the dojos that teach swordsmanship, clearly shouldn't be like this!"
Bam! As he spoke, he became more agitated and couldn't help but slam the table, shouting, "Why do the Seven Great Dojo have to be like this? When the Sakuraba Family established the Sword Dao tournament, they didn't charge money and even sponsored the travel expenses of cash-strapped swordsmen. How did the atmosphere become so ugly now? Don't they have any honor and self-awareness as swordsmen?"
"So noisy! Damn it... Can't even hear the lady talking, shut up, kid!"
The table next to them was slammed too, and a man with glasses, who had been flirting with a bar girl, rolled up his sleeves and stood up, ready to lash out.
Shano turned his face coldly.
"I'm sorry, please continue."
The man with glasses sat back down instantly.
Junichi realized his loss of composure, quickly stood up, and bowed to each of the onlooking patrons around them.
Once he sat back down, he kept his head down and didn't speak again, only his clenched fists trembled slightly.
"..." Shano quietly watched the frail teenager in front of him and suddenly spoke, "I need to confirm two things with you."
"Wha, what?" Junichi raised his head blankly.
"The Sword Dao tournament closes for registration tomorrow, right? When does it start, and how many days does the tournament last?"
"The tournament starts the day after tomorrow. As for the schedule..." Junichi shook his head, "There's no schedule. It's all done in one day. The preliminary in the morning, semifinals in the afternoon, and the final in the evening."
"So, it only takes one day." Shano nodded, "Got it. The second thing, is the Sakuraba Dojo still on the official registration list, meaning you can register directly?"
"Yes." Junichi hesitated, "Actually, I don't understand why the Seven Great Dojo hasn't removed Sakuraba from the list. Maybe they're concerned about the impact, considering the tournament was originally founded by my father..."
He suddenly realized, looking up with surprise, "You mean, you're willing to lend me money to help me sign up?"
"No."
Shano shook his head, then thought about it and said, "Lending you money is possible, but my main point is, perhaps you can give me a disciple status at Sakuraba Dojo, like an assistant manager or something, so I can also participate in this Sword Dao tournament."
"Eh? You?!!"
"Why the doubtful look? Be careful, if I get unhappy, I might change my mind about lending you money."
Shano placed the empty wine glass on the table, bit into a lemon slice, stood up, stretched lazily, and smiled, "I forgot to tell you something."
"Actually, I'm also a swordsman who knows a bit of swordsmanship."
...
Half an hour later, at the registration office.
With a newly bought standard kendo uniform tucked under his elbow along with a brand-new bamboo sword, Shano reluctantly put away his wallet, having bought one of each for Sakuraba Junichi as well.
"It's really a rip-off."
On the way back to the inn, Shano cursed the Seven Great Dojo again, "With this fabric and this crappy sword, the bamboo splinters aren't even fully shaved, and they dare to sell it for fifteen thousand Belly each. Isn't this pure extortion? With such high entry costs, how are there still so many people eager to get fleeced?"
The fifty thousand Belly Belle-Mere gave him was used up in an instant.
If he hadn't brought some personal savings, they might not have been able to afford even the inn tonight, and they would've had to sleep on the street together.
"After all, the prize money is quite significant, and becoming a champion... no, even just entering the semifinals is a tremendous honor for swordsmen of the East Sea."
Junichi closely followed beside him, "At that time, several local newspapers in the East Sea will also be present. The champion will gain fame instantly, and who doesn't have a dream of becoming famous? But..."
"But what?" Shano stopped in his tracks and turned to him.
"But I still doubt whether you are truly a swordsman."
Junichi's tone was genuinely sincere, "Mr. Shano... let's call you that for now, though I'm very grateful for your encouragement and for lending me such a large sum of money, you really don't look like a swordsman, right? Which swordsman would go out without carrying a personal sword?"
The sword is in the backpack slot; you just can't see it.
Shano mumbled to himself.
After obtaining the Masamune blade, he had thrown away the small Wooden Sword since that thing wasn't even as long as his arm anymore. Carrying it would only make him look ridiculously like a clown.
"That's a justified reason for doubt."
Shano looked down at the thin and frail teenager in front of him, "But aren't I holding a sword now?" He bounced the standard bamboo blade in his hand and grinned, "How about we find an open space and spar?"